1、英 语 六 级 难 度 阅 读 理 解 100 篇1We can begin our discussion of “population as global issue” with what most persons mean when they discuss “the population problem”: too many people on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year. The facts are not in dispute, It was quite right to employ th
2、e analogy that likened demographic growth to “a long, thin powder fuse that burns steadily and haltingly until it finally reaches the charge and explodes.”To understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population, it is necessary to understand the history of popula
3、tion trends. Rapid growth is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of demographic history, we find that populations have been virtually stable or growing very slightly for most of human history. For most of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. There
4、 was high fertility in most places, but this was usually balanced by high mortality. For most of human history, it was seldom the case that one in ten persons would live past forty, while infancy and childhood were especially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because
5、 death rates could exceed their birthrates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history was how to prevent extinction of the human race.This pattern is important to notice. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical perspective, but it suggests that
6、 the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years is not a sudden enthusiasm for more children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high mortality.Demographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about
7、 8,000 BC.till approximately AD. 1650. In the first period of some 9600 years, the population increased from some 8 million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650 and the present, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And it is estimated that by the year 2000 there will
8、 be 6.2 billion people throughout the world. One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000BC and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the worlds population each yea
9、r. At present, this number is added every six hours. The increase is about 80,000,000 persons annually.1.Which of the following demographic growth pattern is most suitable for the long thin powder fuse analogy?A.A virtually stable or slightly decreasing period and then a sudden explosion of populati
10、on.B.A slow growth for a long time and then a period of rapid, dramatic increase.C.Too many people on earth and a few rapid increase in the number added each year.D.A long period when death rates exceeds birthrates and then a short period with higher fertility and lower mortality.2.During the first
11、period of demographic history, societies were often in danger of extinction because_.A.only one in ten persons could live past 40.B.there was higher mortality than fertility in most places.C.it was too dangerous to have babies due to the poor conditions.D.our ancestors had little enthusiasm for more
12、 children.3.Which statement is true about population increase?A.There might be an increase of 2.2 billion persons from now to the year 2000.B.About 50,000 babies are born every six hours at present.C.Between 8000 BC and the present, the population increase is about 80,000,000 persons each year.D.The
13、 population increased faster between 8000BC and 1650 than between 1650 and the present.4.The author of the passage intends to_.A.warn people against the population explosion in the near future.B.compare the demographic growth pattern in the past with that after 1650.C.find out the cause for rapid in
14、crease in population in recent years.D.present us a clear and complete picture of the demographic growth.5.The word “demographic” in the first paragraph means_.A.statistics of human.B.surroundings study.C.accumulation of human.D.development of human.答案：ABADA2Most of us are taught to pay attention to
15、 what is saidthe words. Words do provide us with some information, but meanings are derived from so many other sources that it would hinder our effectiveness as a partner to a relationship to rely too heavily on words alone. Words are used to describe only a small part of the many ideas we associate
16、 with any given message. Sometimes we can gain insight into some of those associations if we listen for more than words. We dont always say what we mean or mean what we say. Sometimes our words dont mean anything except “ Im letting off some steam. I dont really want you to pay close attention to wh
17、at Im saying. Just pay attention to what Im feeling.” Mostly we mean several things at once. A person wanting to purchase a house says to the current owner, “This step has to be fixed before Ill buy.” The owner says, “ Its been like that for years.” Actually, the step hasnt been like that for years,
18、 but the unspoken message is: “ I dont want to fix it. We put up with it. Why cant you?” The search for a more expansive view of meaning can be developed of examining a message in terms of who said it, when it occurred, the related conditions or situation, and how it was said.When a message occurs c
19、an also reveal associated meaning. Let us assume two couples do exactly the same amount of kissing and arguing. But one couple always kisses after an argument and the other couple always argues after a kiss. The ordering of the behaviors may mean a great deal more than the frequency of the behavior.
20、 A friends unusually docile behavior may only be understood by noting that it was preceded by situations that required an abnormal amount of assertiveness. Some responses may be directly linked to a developing pattern of responses and defy logic. For example, a person who says “No!” to a serials of
21、charges like “Youre dumb,” “Youre lazy,” and “Youre dishonest,” may also say “No!” and try to justify his or her response if the next statement is “And youre good looking.”We would do well to listen for how messages are presented. The words, “If sure has been nice to have you over,” can be said with
22、 emphasis and excitement or ritualistically. The phrase can be said once or repeated several times. And the meanings we associate with the phrase will change accordingly. Sometimes if we say something infrequently it assumes more importance; sometimes the more we say something the less importance it
23、 assumes.1.Effective communication is rendered possible between two conversing partners, if _.A.they use proper words to carry their ideas.B.they both speak truly of their own feelings.C.they try to understand each others ideas beyond words.D.they are capable of associating meaning with their words.
24、2.“Im letting off some steam” in paragraph 1 means_.A.Im just calling your attention.B.Im just kidding.C.Im just saying the opposite.D.Im just giving off some sound.3.The house-owners example shows that he actually means_.A.the step has been like that for years.B.he doesnt think it necessary to fix
25、the step.C.the condition of the step is only a minor fault.D.the cost involved in the fixing should be shared.4.Some responses and behaviors may appear very illogical, but are justifiable if_.A.linked to an abnormal amount of assertiveness.B.seen as ones habitual pattern of behavior.C.taken as part
26、of an ordering sequence.D.expressed to a series of charges.5.The word “ritualistically” in the last paragraph equals something done_.A.without true intention.B.light-heartedly.C.in a way of ceremony.D.with less emphasis.答案：DBABC 3A controversy erupted in the scientific community in early 1998 over t
27、he use of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid ) fingerprinting in criminal investigations. DNA fingerprinting was introduced in 1987 as a method to identify individuals based on a pattern seen in their DNA, the molecule of which genes are made. DNA is present in every cell of the body except red blood cells.
28、 DNA fingerprinting has been used successfully in various ways, such as to determine paternity where it is not clear who the father of a particular child is. However, it is in the area of criminal investigations that DNA fingerprinting has potentially powerful and controversial uses.DNA fingerprinti
29、ng and other DNA analysis techniques have revolutionized criminal investigations by giving investigators powerful new tools in the attempt to trove guilt, not just establish innocence. When used in criminal investigations, a DNA fingerprint pattern from a suspect is compared with a DNA fingerprint p
30、attern obtained from such material as hairs or blood found at the scene of a crime. A match between the two DNA samples can be used as evidence to convict a suspect.The controversy in 1998 stemmed form a report published in December 1991 by population geneticists Richard C. Lewontin of Harvard Unive
31、rsity in Cambridge, Mass., and Daniel L. Hartl called into question the methods to calculate how likely it is that a match between two DNA fingerprints might occur by chance alone. In particular, they argued that the current method cannot properly determine the likelihood that two DNA samples will m
32、atch because they came from the same individual rather than simply from two different individuals who are members of the same ethnic group. Lewontin and Hartl called for better surveys of DNA patterns methods are adequate.In response to their criticisms, population geneticists Ranajit Chakraborty of
33、 the University of Texas in Dallas and Kenneth K.Kidd of Yale University in New Haven, Conn., argued that enough data are already available to show that the methods currently being used are adequate. In January 1998, however, the federal Bureau of Investigation and laboratories that conduct DNA test
34、s announced that they would collect additional DNA samples form various ethnic groups in an attempt to resolve some of these questions. And, in April, a National Academy of Sciences called for strict standards and system of accreditation for DNA testing laboratories.1.Before DNA fingerprinting is us
35、ed, suspects_.A.would have to leave their fingerprints for further investigationsB.would have to submit evidence for their innocenceC.could easily escape conviction of guiltD.cold be convicted of guilt as well2.DNA fingerprinting can be unreliable when _.A.the methods used for blood- cell calculatio
36、n are not accurateB.two different individuals of the same ethnic group may have the same DNA fingerprinting patternC.a match is by chance left with fingerprints that happen to belong to two different individualsD.two different individuals leave two DNA samples.3.To geneticists like Lewontin and Hart
37、l, the current method _.A.is not so convincing as to exclude the likelihood that two DNA samples can never come from two individualsB.is arguable because two individuals of the same ethnic group are likely to have the same DNA pattern.C.Is not based on adequate scientific theory of geneticsD.Is theo
38、retically contradictory to what they have been studying4.The attitude of the Federal Bereau of Investigation shows that _.A.enough data are yet to be collected form various ethnic groups to confirm the unlikelihood of two DNA samples coming from two individual membersB.enough data of DNA samples sho
39、uld be collected to confirm that only DNA samples form the same person can matchC.enough data are yet to be collected from various ethnic groups to determine the likelihood of two different DNA samples coming form the same personD.additional samples from various ethnic groups should be collected to
40、determine that two DNA samples are unlikely to come from the same person5.National Academy of Sciences holds the stance that _.A.DNA testing should be systematized B.Only authorized laboratories can conduct DNA testingC.The academy only is authorized to work out standards for testing D.The academy h
41、as the right to accredit laboratories for DNA testing答案：CBABB 4Racket, din clamor, noise, whatever you want to call it, unwanted sound is Americas most widespread nuisance. But noise is more than just a nuisance. It constitutes a real and present danger to peoples health. Day and night, at home, at
42、work, and at play, noise can produce serious physical and psychological stress. No one is immune to this stress. Though we seem to adjust to noise by ignoring it, the ear, in fact, never closes and the body still respondssometimes with extreme tension, as to a strange sound in the night.The annoyanc
43、e we feel when faced with noise is the most common outward symptom of the stress building up inside us. Indeed, because irritability is so apparent, legislators have made public annoyance the basis of many noise abatement programs. The more subtle and more serious health hazards associated with stre
44、ss caused by noise traditionally have been given much less attention. Nevertheless, when we are annoyed or made irritable by noise, we should consider these symptoms fair warning that other thing may be happening to us, some of which may be damaging to our health.Of many health hazards to noise, hea
45、ring loss is the most clearly observable and measurable by health professionals. The other hazards are harder to pin down. For many of us, there may be a risk that exposure to the stress of noise increases susceptibility to disease and infection. The more susceptible among us may experience noise as
46、 a complicating factor in heart problems and other diseases. Noise that causes annoyance and irritability in health persons may have serious consequences for these already ill in mind or body.Noise affects us throughout our lives. For example, there are indications of effects on the unborn child whe
47、n mothers are exposed to industrial and environmental noise. During infancy and childhood, youngsters exposed to high noise levels may have trouble falling asleep and obtaining necessary amounts of rest.Why, then, is there not greater alarm about these dangers? Perhaps it is because the link between
48、 noise and many disabilities or diseases has not yet been conclusively demonstrated. Perhaps it is because we tend to dismiss annoyance as a price to pay for living in the modern world. It may also be because we still think of hearing loss as only an occupational hazard.1.In Paragraph 1, the phrase
49、“immune to” are used to mean _.A.unaffected byB.hurt byC.unlikely to be seen byD.unknown by 2.The authors attitude toward noise would best be described as _.A.unrealisticB.traditionalC.concernedD.hysterical3.Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?A.Noise is a major problem; most people recognize its importance.B.Although noise can be annoying, it is not a major problem.C.Noise is a major problem and has not yet been recognized as such.D.Noise is a major problem about which nothing can be done.4.The a
